Versailles can look like a challenge with children: long queues, gilded rooms and a strict no-touching rule. It is also one of the best family days in France if you plan for the child rather than the guidebook. The gardens are huge, the Queen's Hamlet looks like a storybook village and the palace is full of stories about kings, queens and secret doors. This guide shows how to keep everyone interested.
Pace the palace
Children rarely last more than two hours in the palace, so book a timed ticket for the first slot of the day, aim for the State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors, and leave when energy drops. Go on a weekday if you can, because weekends and late mornings are the most crowded, and remember that the palace is closed on Mondays. Large bags go in the cloakroom, so carry only what you need. Pointing out the painted ceilings, the mirrors and the gold turns the walk into a hunt, and a short audio guide can help older children.
Let them run in the gardens
The gardens are free every day from November to March and charge admission only on fountain-show days in season. They are the best place for children to burn energy, with long avenues, groves, statues and the Grand Canal. Pack a picnic from the Notre-Dame market, bring a ball and plan a snack, since cafes and kiosks are limited in low season. In season the Musical Fountains Show adds music and water to the basins, which children enjoy, though the crowds can be dense.
See the Queen's Hamlet
The estate of Trianon is calmer than the palace and often the highlight for families. The Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon are small enough to hold a child's attention, and the Queen's Hamlet, with its thatched cottages, pond and farm, looks like a toy village. The estate is closed on Mondays and opens from midday in low season, so plan the palace for the morning and Trianon for the afternoon. It is a long walk from the palace, so consider a bike or a golf cart for tired legs.
Try the bikes
For children who are confident on a bike, the full-day bike tour of the estate covers the Grand Canal, the Trianon estate and the palace, with a picnic and a guide. The route is flat and mostly car-free. Check the minimum age and the group size on the booking page, and bring layers in winter and sunscreen in summer.
Quieter extras
The Potager du Roi, the king's kitchen garden, is a gentle hour for children who like to see where food grows, especially in summer. The Royal Stables stage an equestrian show on weekends, with horses working in the old riding hall, and the Gallery of Coaches next door is free on weekends. The Royal Tennis Court, where the Tennis Court Oath was sworn, is free and short, and a market lunch at the Notre-Dame halls gives children a taste of French cheese, bread and pastries.
Practical tips
Bring a pushchair only if you must, since stairs and gravel make it awkward, and use a carrier for toddlers. Wear sturdy shoes, carry water and snacks, and bring a layer in winter, since the open parterres are windy. Allow a full day, and do not try to see everything: choose the palace, one garden area and one treat. Go to the toilets before you enter the palace, and keep a flexible plan if the weather turns.
Snacks and breaks
Plan breaks as carefully as sights. Children enjoy a bench in the gardens, a pastry from the market and a chance to chase pigeons far more than a fourth gilded room. A short rest in the middle of the day, ideally between the palace and the Trianon estate, makes the second half of the day far more pleasant for everyone.
Where to stay
The ibis Versailles Château is the budget choice close to the gates, the Mercure has a covered car park and good value for small families, and the Novotel has a children's play area and on-site parking. For free parking and a quieter setting, the Best Western hotels in Guyancourt and Buc are a short drive from the palace. Whichever you pick, an overnight stay lets you start at the first slot, which is the best way to avoid queues with children.
